Around The Majors- Wednesday

Yesterday's scores will be followed by inside analysis on the latest news and rumors of which there is a lot of today, and I'll preview today's matchups.

Tuesday In Review
-The Tigers are 0-7? Boston fans embrace Bill Buckner? It was certainly a weird day down Yawkey Way as Daisuke Matsuzaka threw 6 2/3 scoreless as the Red Sox blanked the Tigers 5-0. Kevin Youkilis drove in a pair for Boston.
-The Mets home opener didn't go as planned as the bullpen blew a 2-0 lead and lost to the rival Phillies 5-2. Chase Utley was hit by a pitch 3 times, as the Phils scored 3 in the 7th on a throwing error and a Jason Werth signle. Jaime Moyer threw 6 innings of 2 run ball for the win, and Tom Gordon got the save in for the tired Brad Lidge.
-Baltimore has the best record in the sport in this bizarro-baseball world. Aubrey Huff drove in 4 and Brian Burress allowed just 1 run over six as the Orioles roasted the Rangers 8-1. Jason Jennings picked up the loss for Texas.
-Both Brian Banniester and Phil Hughes labored through their starts, but the former persevered with a 2 run effort over 5 as the Royals won their home opener 5-2 over the Yankees. Ross Gload drove in 2 for KC as Joakim Soria threw a scorless 9th for his 4th save of the season.
-In Toronto, a Frank Thomas 2 run homer off of Alan Embree tied it at 8, but that didn't last very long. A 9th inning Ryan Sweeney triple scored a run as Huston Street was able to hold the Jays at bay for the 9-8 win. Vernon Wells homered and drove in 3 in the Toronto loss.
-In a wild game that featured a Joe Maddon ejection, a Matt Garza injury, and a steal of home by BJ Upton, a Richie Sexson RBI single in the 6th was the difference as Seattle edged Tampa Bay 6-5 in the opener at the Trop. Erik Bedard allowed 5 runs over 6 but still picked up the win, and in their closer-by-committee approach in JJ Putz's stead, Ryan Rowland-Smith pitched 1 2/3 for the save.
-Eric Gagne blew another Milwaukee save as he served up a Corey Patterson home run to tie the game at 2. But a Rickie Weeks single in the 10th off of David Weathers made it 3-2, and Salomon Torres set the Reds down in the bottom half to preserve the 3-2 win. Rookie Johnny Cueto all0wed just 2 runs over 6 2/3 while striking out 8, but was equally challanged by Jeff Suppan who allowed 1 run over 7.
-Troy Glaus' 2 run double in the 8th off of Geoff Geary gave the Cardinals a 5-3 win over Houston. Miguel Tejada drove in a pair for the Astros, but Jason Isringhausen sealed the deal in the 9th for his 4th save. Anthony Reyes picked up the win.
-Ubaldo Jimenez allowed 3 runs over 6 and outdueled Jair Jurrjens as the Rockies nipped the Braves 4-3. Matt Holliday drove in 2 for Colorado, as Fuentes and Corpas closed the door on the win. Mark Kotsay homered in the Braves loss.
-In his last start before cancer surgery, Doug Davis allowed 2 runs over 6 innings while striking out 7 as Arizona doubled up the Dodgers 10-5. Conor Jackson and Mark Reynolds both drove in 3 runs for the Snakes, and Reynolds hit his 5th homer of the year. Kent and DeWitt drove home 2 each in defeat.
-Travis Hafner's 2 run shot off of Justin Speier in the 9th gave the Indians a 4-3 win over the Angels. Jake Westbrook threw a complete game, allowing 3 runs and 7 hits on just 94 pitches. Vladimir Guerrero homered in the loss, and Asdrubal Cabrera drove in the other 2 Tribe runs.
-A Bengie Molina walkoff homer in the 11th off of Cla Meredith gave the Giants a 3-2 win over San Diego. Brian Wilson blew the save in the 9th on a Brian Giles sac fly, but SF prevailed for their 2nd win.

News, Notes, & Rumors
-The Mets placed Matt Wise on the DL, and they brought up Carlos Muniz who threw a scoreless inning yesterday.
-Michael Barrett, Justin Duchscherer, Dave Roberts, and Dmitri Young all landed on the DL yesterday and Johnny Estrada was activated by Washington.
-In a callous, irresponsible act, Braves top prospect CF Jordan Schaefer was suspended 50 games for HGH use. Schaefer has a lot of speed and good range, and was projected to start in CF for Atlanta by Opening Day 2009. He started out this year in AA Mississippi, and will likely need more time there to hone his game. This definitely pushes back the Braves' plan as they had traded for Mark Kotsay to just be the stopgap this year, but he may need to be there for longer unless Schaefer shows a lot of progress when he returns.
-I will now begin the Amy Winehouse portion of NN&R. Randy Johnson struck out 7 over 6 scorless inning in his rehab start for AAA Tuscon and should start on Saturday for Arizona. He did allow a homer to Angels top 'spect Brandon Wood. One team that may not have their rehabbing starter as soon as expected is the Twins. Francisco Liriano allowed 3 runs in 4 frames for AAA Rochester. "He got deep in counts," Red Wings manager Stu Cliburn said. "His fastball was good. The only thing good I saw is he's confident in his breaking ball." Scott Kazmir threw 42 pitches in BP as he looks to return.
-The San Francisco Chronicle reports that A's DH/1B Dan Johnson could be designated for assignment before tonight's game. It would mean a disappointing end to the former top prospect's tenure with the team.

Wednesday Preview
Paul Byrd pitches in day action in LA, and Kuroda and Owings will both make their 2nd starts of the season as Arizona gets some day baseball in at Chavez Ravine. Bonderman and Lester go in Boston, Zach Duke faces the Cubs, and McGowan battles the A's. Kyle Kendrick and Mike Pelfrey are the starters as the Mets and Phillies renew their rivalry at 7pm on ESPN2. I'll be in section 1 in the upper deck, by the way. I hope you enjoyed your trip around the majors, have a good day and don't climb up the Golden Gate Bridge, especially if you're afraid of heights. (or like China)